A no-spoiler version of the Prequel Trilogy

Imagine how awesome it would be to watch the entire Star Wars saga in chronological order and still be surprised by all the original trilogy’s twists and reveals. That is, imagine if the prequel trilogy didn’t include any original trilogy spoilers! It would be hard to accomplish, but I want to know if it’s possible. So, I’ve been writing a rough outline of how I think a no-spoiler version of the Phantom Menace should go.

In Part 1, I outlined my alternative opening.

In Part 2, I discussed Naboo and outlined the call to adventure.

In Part 3, I introduced the Trade Federation, R2-D2 and C3PO.

Part 4 will focus on Mos Espa, Watto’s Junkyard and Anakin.

Watto’s Junkyard and the Naboo

When Qui Gon, Obi-Wan and the droids arrive in Mos Espa (the town from Phantom Menace), they should find the Naboo crash survivors immediately. We’ve just had a ‘where are they?’ scene (when they reactivated C3PO). There’s no point in doing another one; it’ll just waste screen time. The movie isn’t about searching every inch of Tatooine. Instead, there can be a very brief scene in which Obi-Wan, speaking to a local, learns that the Naboo have been purchased and are now at Watto’s Junkyard.

The Junkyard scene itself is, effectively, a series of character introductions, which is unfortunate. There are a few ways to make that work. For instance, the Queen won’t be there. They need a reason to prolong their stay on Tatooine for Anakin’s introduction. The Queen’s continued absence provides that reason (and this is partially a film about rescuing the Queen). The loss of their ship could provide a reason but, as mentioned in part 3, finding a way off Tatooine would probably be easier than the actual film implies.

After the Queen, the number of Naboo crash survivors (who’ve been purchased by Watto), should be kept to a minimum. A Naboo Security Officer or Politician can be their de facto leader, but they don’t need any real focus, as the Jedi will promptly take over. Their chief role is to deliver some short exposition: a couple of lines explaining that the Queen was taken elsewhere. Then there’s Padme and Jar Jar.

In the actual Phantom Menace, Padme is secretly the Queen. Then, in episode 2, someone else becomes Queen, with Padme serving as Naboo’s senator. It’s ultimately stated that Padme was elected Queen as a kid. This political setup is weird. (Seriously, why did the Naboo elect a child to rule them?) This might elicit opposition, but I’m inclined to omit the ‘Secret Queen’ plot. It feels unnecessary (and these films don’t need extra politics). More importantly, it complicates other plot points.

Again, the Queen is not at Watto’s Junkyard. Including the secret queen plot would mean that Padme isn’t at the Junkyard or that she let her double be separated from the group. The first option would disrupt her meeting with Anakin. The second option would make her seem like a villain. Since the ‘Secret Queen’ plot has no bearing on the saga, I think it’s best to avoid these problems and just drop it. Padme will, instead, be a handmaiden/politician-in-training.

My outlined rules require Clone Wars canon to be maintained, which might require Padme to be Queen (I’m not entirely sure). But if some form of the ‘Secret Queen’ plot does have to be retained, it can be easily worked in (due to its narrative redundancy) with a bit of dialogue later in the film. E.g. “One day, I’ll serve a term as Queen.”

I am inclined to keep Jar Jar. Some might ditch the character entirely and I get why. But, under my burdensome rules, he must be included. That’s fine. Jar Jar can provide levity to an otherwise dark setting, and Star Wars has always had goofy moments, probably for that reason (kids watch it). That said, his role needs to be reduced. As is, he gets way too much focus. In this version, he’ll be a Gungan ambassador to the Naboo government (which will help with world-building) and will not play a pivotal role.

Of the outlined Naboo characters (at the Junkyard), only Padme will actually be a character. The de facto leader and Jar Jar will be limited to minor exposition and a small degree of comic relief. Any other Naboo or Gungans present, if any, will be unspeaking extras. This should prevent the Junkyard scene from becoming a checklist of character introductions. Besides, Padme’s the only one who matters to the plot.

Mind Tricks

As for Watto (only a brief appearance in this version) part of me does want to include the whole “mind tricks don’t work on Toydarians” thing. It’s such a weird detail that I kind of like it. But that’s a non-starter. It requires the audience to know what a mind trick is and as this is meant to be watched chronologically, that won’t be the case. Besides, the actual film needed Watto to be unhelpful (he couldn’t gift them the parts they needed). In this version, they’re not looking for parts, so it’s unneeded.

There can still be a mind trick, however. They should use one to free the Naboo. This might be a good character moment. Obi-Wan‘s attempt to trick Watto should fail, and Qui Gon will need to step in. This will allow Obi-Wan’s eventual use of the mind trick in episode 4 to demonstrate his character progression (enhancing the originals).

There mustn’t be any explanation of the mind trick, however. Save for a brief instruction by Qui Gon to Obi-Wan that “successful mind tricks require patience and concentration.” They both know about mind tricks and have no reason for further discussion. That brief comment should be sufficient for the audience to understand.

They should aim to free all Watto’s slaves, not just the Naboo. I reckon that the Jedi would want to free them all. Moreover, this is intended as the first film. The audience needs to see the Jedi as noble (if flawed) defenders of the people. Otherwise, they won’t care about the Jedi purge in episode 3 or Luke’s mission to become a Jedi. The liberation of Watto’s slaves also means the liberation of Anakin and his family. Grateful for their freedom, they can offer them shelter as they begin searching for the Queen.

Anakin and his family

I’m making some changes to Anakin. He’ll be slightly older in this version, perhaps 14. (Anakin and Padme’s episode 1 actors should also be closer in age). He’ll be fairly shy due to his enslavement. But there should also be signs of anger, rebellion and the heroism he’s known for.  Nothing too substantial, but some indicators should be there. These can be expanded on in subsequent films. He’ll still fantasise about becoming a Jedi and he’ll still love Podracing.

To save time (and facilitate their eventual love story), Anakin and Padme should already be friends (they’ve been at Watto’s Junkyard for a while). To demonstrate this friendship, Padme should be the one who introduces Anakin to Qui Gon and Obi-Wan. This is one of many reasons for dropping the ‘Secret Queen’ reveal. Royal priorities would probably complicate this essential plot point.

I’m also making changes to Anakin’s family. In addition to Shmi (his mother), the film should feature his brother, Owen Lars. As it currently stands, Owen is briefly introduced as a distant stepbrother in episode 2. His eventual adoption of Luke is subsequently a bit convoluted and would seem clumsy in a chronological version. Including him in episode 1 will also save time in episode 2 (a cluttered film).

There is a small discrepancy. Anakin’s surname is Skywalker, whilst Owen’s surname is Lars. To solve this, I just won’t give them surnames (which makes sense given their enslavement). Anakin can get his surname later in the film. He could even be named after the Podracing trophy he wins. ‘Skywalker’ does seem like a Podracing term.

Anakin being renamed Skywalker might risk a ‘wink-at-the-camera prequel moment’. But if it’s not hyped up or overdone – just a brief comment – I think it’s excusable; establishing the Skywalker lineage is important. It also explains why the Empire didn’t find the presence of another Skywalker (Luke) suspicious: Skywalker is just a Tatooine term.

End of Part 4

This part has been character-heavy and a little slow, but it was necessary. Next time, we’ll get back to the exciting stuff, including Podracing.

-Dexter